How To Tell If Your 'Shattered Backboard' Air Jordan 1s Are Real or Fake

by Brandon Richard

The "Shattered Backboard" Air Jordan 1 is already one of the biggest sneaker releases of 2015. Following this past weekend's instant sellout, pairs are fetching between $450-$500 on the market, a steep markup from the $160 box price.

But because of the large demand, counterfeit manufacturers have been hard at work pumping fake pairs into the market — and they're pretty good. However, they're not without tell-tale signs, and @Fake_Education broke them down on Instagram earlier today.

See the differences between an authentic pair purchased from a store and an unauthorized pair below.

1. Wings

Fake Education: "The cuts of the panels are off in many ways that the naked eye does not catch, but what the naked eye does catch is how far off the Wings logo is on the unauthorized. If you look at the right side of the Wings and how close they come to the white leather panel on the real pair, then look at the unauthorized pair, you will see a HUGE difference."

2. Toebox

Fake Education: "Green highlighted area shows 3 perforated holes that are always incorrect on unauthorized pairs. The placement of the 3 holes is opposite of how they are on the retail pair. Red circle shows the widows peak present on the unauthorized." 

3. Tongue Tag

Fake Education: "The tongue tag is placed way too low on the unauthorized."

4.  Heel Shape & Stitching

Fake Education: "Green area shows that the shape of the back heel is a lot different on the unauthorized and does not have the same smooth curve as the retail pair. Red circle shows the stitching line cuts ON the swoosh of the unauthorized and not above it like the retail pair. Blue line shows the "bar indent" that is common on all unauthorized Jordan 1s. Next post will show it again."

5. Heel 

Fake Education: "Another look at the "bar indent" I was referring to in my last post. (Highlighted in a blue circle)"

6. Side Toe & Swoosh 

Fake Education: "Green highlighted area shows the top row of perforated holes are way off from where they should be on the unauthorized. Red arrow points to the Swoosh on the unauthorized, which is VERY jagged and rough. The retail pairs have clean cut Swooshes. The unauthorized looks like they were cut with steak knives."

7. Toebox Height

Fake Education: "Notice how much higher the top of the toe box goes up on the unauthorized (2nd lace hole area), while on the retail pair, it goes to the first lace hole."

8. Medial Collar

Fake Education: "Medial side. Look at how the top orange panel is cut clean and straight on the retail pair, but that same panel is more cut on a curve [on the unauthorized pair]."